Keep Learning To Keep Leading

I try to make it a practice to write a little every day. I think it is good for the mind and part of my process to getting my random thoughts sorted. Some days I sit down and the topic and words just pour out. Other days (like today) even a topic can be hard to come by. When this happens I like to pick up one of the books I recently read. I find John Maxwell to be a great resource for blog articles.

In his book "Leadership Gold" he has a chapter titled; Keep Learning to Keep Leading where he says this:

"I know that people don't reach their potential on accident. The secret to success can be found in people's daily agendas. If they do something intentional to grow every day, they move closer to reaching their potential. If they don't, their potential slowly slips away over the course of their lifetime." ---p. 125

Everyday you can do something to take steps in the direction of reaching your ultimate potential. Relying solely on someone else to develop you is your first step in never reaching the potential of who you can be. Leaders are learners. If you think that you have learned all you need to then don't be surprised when someone else leap frogs past you on the leadership ladder (that person will more than likely be younger and still trying to learn).

What are you teaching yourself today? What was the last book you picked up that added value to the team you are a part of? When was the last time you talked to a mentor or coached a protege?

Bottom line: Never stop pursuing becoming a leader worth following.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread...

In the Lord's prayer we see Jesus instruct us to pray these words: "Give us this day our DAILY bread." One of the things I am realizing in myself is that I like the prayer in seasons where I have much and have little need for that days supply of bread since I have left overs from yesterday. But it can be a little different when yesterday's left overs are crumbs.

God is teaching me more and more about His daily bread with each passing day. The church we are starting operates very much on the willingness of a few to weekly being faithful to God with their finances. Misty is working a job where each night is toss up on what she brings home. I chose to follow God while leaving more money on the table.

None the less, this daily bread that I am eating is much more satisfying than the leftovers of yesterday. It is bringing more nutrition to my soul and I am seeing my God provide for me in some incredible ways.

My prayer for you is that you would embark on a similar daily bread adventure and see if you don't experience a side of God that you haven't seen before.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Words To Chew On...

"Don't trade what you want most for what you want now."
---Jessie Simon

Let The Rocky Theme Song Start Playing NOW!!!!

I am not sure I have ever met any person that is daring enough to attempt what I have set out to do. The road that I start on tonight may take more out of me than I have to give. I will not tell you that I have no fear or even an optimistic. This may be the hardest thing I have ever attempted. I don't think Misty wants me to try this but I sense that she is supportive. When I told Barak he just looked at me in bewilderment.

I ask for your prayers and thoughts as I struggle down this road marked with unseen dangers. Tonight I have decided that I will not eat Taco Bell again for a year. (Pause for dramatic effects). (still pausing)...(opening mouth to say something)...(lingering pause). I had it tonight and now I am miserable because of their awesomeness. How can something that taste so good to the tongue, sit so heavy in the stomach?

I am determined and I will win.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Was Saved By The Bell Really That Good...

Last night after another hour long bout to get Barak to go to sleep, Misty and I were in the living room. I was in the middle of two television shows that were about to wrap up. I went in one more time to check on Barak, after shutting his door I grabbed my laptop to get a little work done while sitting next to Misty (she didn't want to play with me anyways).

As I sat down I realized that once again she snaked the remote from me and was watching a Saved By The Bell special. For the next 30 minutes we couldn't help but remark on the overacting and the lame plot. But at the same time for some reason neither was willing to turn the channel. And I am pretty sure I teared up when it ended with a....to be continued.

It got me thinking about the 'good old day' syndrome we can buy into from time to time. Maybe it was not so good in those old days. Was Leave it to Beaver really a good, wholesome kid or were the watching the childhood of a petty criminal? How many actual plot lines did Sanford and Son have? Did Bill Cosby really have a show called FAT Albert and the Gang? Was the Fresh Prince really that fresh? I'm pretty sure the Power Ranger's even got a prime time special.

The moral of the story is that the today will eventually be our basis for a 'in the good old days' story. But let's be honest, one day you and I will sit in our hover recliners and watch t.v. on our hologram set with 5,000 channels and wish that if only "I Survived A Japenese Gameshow" or "Rock of Love" would come back. Then there would finally be something on t.v. to watch.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Peace

"For He Himself is our peace,..."
-----Ephesians 2:14

How fitting is it to read these words this morning. Just before opening up the Word I was focussed on two issues that I am facing. Needless to say, they don't take me to a happy place filled with ice cream and chocolate. In fact if I am not careful I will stop searching honestly for answers and will fester in the frustration of the moment.

So what do I do when my heart seems to be at war but my spirit is desperately trying to resolve conflict in a constructive way?

Right now your guess is as good as mine. However, I believe that pursuing peace is of much greater importance.

Here are ways I try to pursue peace in conflict:
1. Keep things in perspective. (is this issue really worth fighting over?)
2. Search for the heart of the matter. (am I really upset about something else?)
3. Watch for prolonged 'fester' moments. (how long have I been sitting here stewing in my frustration?)
4. Confide in a select few. (am I voicing this issue to wise counsel or any one within ear shot?)
5. Let love take the lead. (is this issue worth losing the relationship over?)

Conflict is inevitable in any lasting relationship. However, in my experience far too many have ended unnecessarily because either one or both parties weren't willing to fight through the conflict stage. When that happens, no one wins and only pain is remembered. Life is just too short to live in a constant state of conflict. Let peace rule.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Embrace Your Inner Insect

I'm sitting here at my desk trying to decide where to start next. Which one of my many projects should I pick up, dust off or create from scratch? At times this can be pretty overwhelming. My role as a leader has gone from day to day operations to big picture guy. This change of role is both exhilarating and challenging.

It is at times like this when I am reminded of the words of Dr. Henry Cloud in his book "9 Things Every Leader Must Do". He has a chapter devoted to the remedy of my challenge. The chapter is titled, EMBRACE YOUR INNER INSECT. The idea is that big projects are completed by making small steps toward the goal.

Big projects can be overwhelming (weight loss, getting out of debt, starting a new department or bringing one out of the gutter, etc.). I find the best way to tackle and complete these is by taking and acknowledging the small steps.

Take enough small steps and you will build enough momentum where they become longer strides and the finish line will be closer than the starting blocks.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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6:45 In The Morning!!!! You've Got To Be Kidding Me

Last night as I laid my head to sleep, I smiled. Camp is over, I am gassed and Misty was going to let me sleep in. All was good...until 6:45 this morning when the shingles for the new roof arrived. I thought, "o.k. , a bit inconvenient, but I'll go back to sleep."

And I did, it was awesome. That is until 8:00 when the roofers started jumping and hammering. I fought the good fight for about an hour before I let them when and got up.

I went to check my phone when I noticed a voicemail form Nancy. It went like this, "All right Brandon, remember how important it is to love God and love People, the roofers are about to get on the roof."

I have since decided to change our weekly mission. For now on it will be, "This week we will love God by....loving people (unless they wake you up in the morning before you need to get up. Then all bets are off.)

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Indescribable

There have been a few times when I have been gathered in a corporate setting when God shows up in some incredible ways. Tonight was one of those special moments. I have been praying specifically this night for the teens for a few weeks now and have found it the hardest one to get my head around.

It's not long after we follow Jesus that we don't end up looking at the cross. Tonight, this is where we camped. What an incredible and horrific scene. From the time we started worshiping in song, the Holy Spirit was moving and as we went to the cross together I saw God move in the hearts of these teens in some incredible ways. A girl named Chelsea said "Yes" to Jesus for the first time tonight. Take a moment and think about the enormity of her decision. She now has an intimate relationship with her Heavenly Father. She has hope and life and freedom. "Father, return to me the joy of Your salvation."

After I was finished rambling, we saw a worship explosion. I don't really know how to describe it and I communicate for a job. I saw teens lay their hearts before God and declared that He is mighty to save. They sang that their Jesus can move mountains.

"Father, I am blown away by You. I know that You are always near and You are always moving. Help me see that more. Let me live in the shelter of Your love. You are indescribable!!!!!"

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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We Have Lift Off...

I have always thought the hardest part of a camp was the effort it takes to get it off the ground. Usually once the first chord is struck then you are sitting pretty. The challenge is making the first sound come out. Our guys have done an incredible job at providing an environment where kids and teens can meet with God.

It was not an easy task but they are special people. Chris deserves many accolades for his care in designing a set on a dime. He takes this opportunity with great responsibility. The teens are well served to have him.

Tonight I challenged kids and students to take up the same invitation Jesus gave to Matthew. "Follow Me". We can make this much more difficult than it has to be. I challenged them to take one small step in Jesus direction. I believe if you do this long enough, Jesus will lead you to a Heavenly Father that is gracious and loving and longs for relationship with them.

I think there is ice cream down the way....uuummmm, I think I need to see if anyone needs to talk about ice cream over some rocky road.

More to come....

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Pre-Summer Camp Prayer

"In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before You
and wait in expectation."
-----Psalm 5:3

Father,
I thank You for allowing me and my team the opportunity to play such an important role in You making a difference in the lives of kids and teens. You are worthy of all praise and are good to those You love.

I pray that You would move in ways that only You can. Break through walls we have built, mend hearts we have broken, speak tenderly to our wounded souls.

Through Jesus let us experience the freedom You have called us to live in. Let us rejoice in the truth of Your salvation. There are teens and kids that have no idea how incredible You are. SHOW THEM!!! Blow them away by Your love that has rescued me.

We are in desperate need to hear You speak and are confident You are going to move.
These are my requests that I lay at Your feet and wait for You with great expectation.

In Jesus Name,
Amen and Hallelujah

Great Question Paul

"Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God--- or rather are known by God--- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"
-----Galatians 4:8-9

What a penetrating set of questions. Paul is writing to a Galatian church that at one time was doing some incredible things for God and His kingdom but at the time of the writing were backsliding into their former selves. In a very honest plea Paul asks them to consider what they are doing. They are flirting with being oppressed by the things that once kept them from truly living.

I find this incredibly relevant for me and you. Jesus has removed the shackles of sin and death by His death and resurrection. He has made possible a relationship we can have with God the Father. However, anytime we flirt with acts that lead to sin we are literally picking the shackles back up from the floor and putting them around our wrists.

Paul is pleading with the church of Galatia and I think God's Spirit is telling us: we are meant to live free, so don't shackle yourself with things that aren't God.

Today fight the GOOD fight and finish the race well!!!

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Question To Ask Yourself Today...

"Is this the most LOVING way to do life?"

We ask ourselves this question more times than I think we realize. But, we usually substitute the word "loving" with ones like:

easy....efficient....productive....simple....profitable....comfortable.

The issue with this is that we are called to be people of love long before we are called to be productive or profitable and especially comfortable. We are called to be people of light and hope to a world that lives in bondage and darkness. God has rescued us from the death that comes with sin and calls us to live in the freedom of His love. The closer we get to Him the more His love is evident in our hearts.

Examine your life and ask yourself this important question. Evaluate your actions of the last 2 hours and see what areas you can improve on. In Christ, you are called to be a person on love.

Are you being one?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Today Matters...

Because Today Matters...

I will choose words that will help build others up.

I will be aware that my choices have an effect on how others will see me.

I will show love to the people God places in my path.

I will trust God is at work in all areas of my life.

I will pursue purity because God deserves my best effort in representing Him.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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People Watching

I'm sitting here in what I have now officially dubbed my third office. It's a Seattle's Best in a Border's Store around my house. I sit in here at least once a week (sometimes three times). I enjoy it. There is constant movement which helps me have a reason for drifting in off in thought. The chocolate javakula brings me closer to God (seriously, I think they may be serving it right now to the Angel's). A little boy just bought a glazed over something that I am sure is about 9000 calories....dang it, it was the last one.

People from all walks show up here. Married, dating, single. Straight, gay. Black, white, hispanic. Rich, poor. Young and old. I try to figure out their stories just by how they carry themselves and how they treat the girls working the cafe. (I know, this could make me a dork but whatever.)

Earlier I had a thought that was pretty challenging. "What if someone was sitting in a cafe and was trying to figure me out?" What would their conclusion be? Do I beam with the love of God? Is my love evident to all? Did I treat the lady making my javakula with respect? Did she feel valued as a human being?

I don't know...I think they are making more cinnamon rolls...I have to get in line.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Warts and All

I have started the book of Galatians in my daily reading of God's Word. I love how Paul starts the letter off by telling his story, WARTS AND ALL. He writes about his involvement in persecuting the early Christian church, about how God rescued him through Jesus and acknowledges how his new mission in life may have made people skeptical of his true motives.

I wonder if writing the first part of that letter caused him to think about his life? I wonder if he thought about taking it out all together and start off with a joke about a camel and a sheep all going into a bar?

Clearly, the Holy Spirit emboldened him to share his story because He (the Spirit) knew that he would need to hear it today. Paul has an incredible story of warts and redemption.

Truth is, SO DO YOU!!! I realize that warts aren't the most flattering ways to present yourself, but do you realize what was once a wart on Paul's life turned into one of the most beautiful things about him?

What has God done with your warts? Better yet, what is He doing with them? Who is He allowing you to help because of your warts? How does your warts fit into His great story of redemption?

We can't cover our warts, especially from God. Paul seemed to know this and didn't let what he did yesterday effect a new direction today. We would be wise to take a page from his playbook.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Handling Criticism

Let's face it, criticism is a part of living and growing. Sometimes it comes in the form of an off-handed comment, a slap in the face or as a reality check (sometimes all at the same time). Add to that the promise of the higher up you are on the leadership food chain the better your chances of being the target of criticism. How we handle and process criticism is very important in our development as leaders.


Tim Elmore in "Habitudes vol.2" offers some suggestions in handling criticism:

a. Understand the difference between constructive and destructive criticism.

b. Recognize that people act out what they are experiencing inside. It may not be about you.

c. Remember that good people get criticized.

d. Don't see the critic, see the crowd.

e. Eat the fish and spit out the bones.

f. Trust God and wait for time to prove them wrong.

g. Act, don't react. Don't get defensive.

h. Seek wise counsel from others.

i. Concentrate on your mission; change your mistakes.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Words To Chew On

"Imagine going for a run while eating a box of Twinkies. Besides being self-defeating and sideache-inducing, it would also be near impossible-----you would have to stop running in order to eat the Twinkies.

In the same way, you have to stop loving and pursuing Christ in order to sin. When you are pursuing love, running toward Christ, you do not have opportunity to wonder, Am I doing this right? or Did I serve enough this week? When you are running toward Christ, you are freed up to serve, love, and give thanks without guilt, worry, or fear. As long as you are running, you are safe.

But running is exhausting----if, that is, we are running from sin or guilt, out of fear. (Or if we haven't run in a while.) However, if we train ourselves to run toward our Refuge, toward Love, we are free----just as we are called to be.

As we begin to focus more on Christ, loving Him and others become more natural. As long as we are pursuing Him, we are satisfied in Him. It is when we stop actively loving Him that we find ourselves restless and gravitating toward other means of fulfillment."

-----Francis Chan "Crazy Love"

My Psalm 51

Continue to show me mercy, O God.
Because I am lost without You.
My confession is that I do not take my sin against You serious enough.
For You are Holy and deserve much more than the effort I am giving.

You continue to give me good and perfect gifts,
out of Your great compassion.
Break my heart for what breaks Yours.
Help me run in the path of Your freedom.

My sins haunt me and weigh me down.
O God continue to rescue me, continue to protect me,
show me how to live in Your love.

Open my heart and remove the things that aren't of You.
Help me be satisfied in You and You alone.
You do not delight in idle chatter;
though I continually bring it into Your courts.
Let me be quite in Your presence and listen for Your voice.
Your voice exposes my flirtations with my sins.

Through Your Son, let me experience freedom.
Through Your Spirit, let me experience strength.
Through You, let me experience Your unfailing love.

Change me so I can help others see the beauty of Your works.
Thank You for always being near.
You are God, there are no others beside You.

Where Have All The Good Saturday Morning Cartoons Gone?

I am responsible for waking up with Barak one day a week, MONDAY. (I know, my wife cracks a hard whip). However, she and her grandmother went on a little road trip yesterday and won't be back until this afternoon. This means that this morning it is me and Barak all by our selves. (Please don't rush over to rescue him, he will be fine. As soon as I find him that is.)

We get up and I cook him a healthy breakfast of Lucky Charms and carrots (his choice) and we sat down to watch some cartoons. What happened to the good ones? Where is a little Bug's Bunny? Mickey Mouse? He-man and G.I. Joe?

No wonder kids are turning out the way they are. Cartoons are just too boring. Wait....hold on.... we found Popeye. All is right in the world.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Confessions of a Casual Christian #1

"I don't take my decision to sin as serious as I should."

We rarely are just walking down the road of life and stumble into sin. Sin is the result of a series of little "and big" decisions we make in a developmental process. If the adult stage of this process is the act of sin. Then the conception stage is temptation, and the stage in between are usually the feeding of that temptation. Sin doesn't just happen. Though that is what I like to tell myself. Especially in the moments when I come back to sanity and am asking myself, "What are you doing? Is this who you want to be?"

The truth is...I just don't take sin serious enough in my own heart. John Piper once penned, "Long before sin is a damage to man, it is a dishonor to God." Here lies the main issue with sin. Not only does it create a major barrier in our relationships with God, but it is dishonoring to Him.

I like the idea of being forgiven for the sins in my life but am not so keen on the punishment and consequences for those sins. We have to realize a few things in our decision to sin:

1. God's discipline comes from His desire to give us good and perfect things. He disciplines to protect us out of His unfailing love.

2. The pay off for sin is not remotely comparable to having an "all access pass" relationship with God.

3. Sins we believe are done in private will eventually be exposed in damaging public ways.

4. Long before sin is a damage to man, it is a dishonor to God.

My confession is that I don't take sin serious enough. This is my confession, not my final destination. I believe that we are a continual work in process. That is why regardless what you are flirting with today, you can start over. You can take this thing called sin seriously. You can choose to fight and not give in. You do not have to live defeated. Jesus has come to give you adventure and life and hope. Live in that!!!!

"Father, break my heart for what breaks yours."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Words To Chew On...

"Discipline yourself and others won't need to.
Never lie, cheat, or steal...
and earn the right to be proud and confident."
-----John Wooden (legendary basketball coach and leader)

Today you will have choices to make, deadlines to meet and temptations to you will flirt with. What you do when these opportunities present themselves will have a very lasting impact in the direction you take in your life.

What if you were determined to earn the right to be proud of the person you are becoming through making a series of decisions where integrity ruled? What kind of change do you think you can make relationally if other people saw you make, not the easy choice, but the right one?

It's not the spotlight moments that make the person. What makes a leader worth following and a person worth knowing is what they do is the in between moments of life. What you do today when know one knows what you are doing and the little things you do to add value to people, may be the loudest thing you say today.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Bailee Nicole Swinney, what an adventure you have in front of you!!!

Today, my good friends Chris and Kelly Swinney were blessed with another beautiful baby girl. As I stood in the room holding this precious gift from God in my arms I couldn't help think about her adventure so far.

Just a few hours ago everything changed. She no longer lives in the comfort of her mother's womb, sounds have changed from muffled to clear, her eyes are adjusting to this thing called light, and she has felt the warmth of human touch for the very first time. She has been introduced to things like hunger in her belly, a breeze of air and the coldness of water. Needless to say, she has had a pretty big day.

I was reminded as she was in my arms that the little girl I was holding did not arrive on the scene unnoticed. We have been anxiously awaiting her arrival and she is with good people that have vowed to protect her. She has parents that love her to great extremes. Above all that, she has a Heavenly Father who knit her together in the womb. Who knows the number of the hairs on her head. Who loves her so much to send Jesus to rescue her from sin and death.

What an adventure this little Bailee has in front of her. I am fortunate to be apart of her journey. I am grateful that God would allow me friends like the Swinney's.

Bigger than that though, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE GOD WE SERVE. Who are we that He would even be mindful of the likes of us? He is Holy, loving, jealous, compassionate, providing and adopts us and grants us an incredible name...HIS!!!

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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